Wjre device



{No.Medel.)

V. LASSEN.

WIRE DEVICE.

Patented Oct. 2%; 1895.

v No. 548,614.

Unirrnn S'rn'rns ATENT Fries.

VICTOR LASSEN, or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

WIRE DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,614, dated October 22, 1895.

Application filed December 14, 1894. Serial No. 531,849. (No model.!

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VICTOR LASSEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful wire device adapted to be changed into a number of household articles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof. This invention consists of rings and semirings of wire looped together, as will be hereinafter set forth. It may be rapidly and cheaply made from sufficiently-elastic round wire by the aid of suitable machinery, and is capable of being easily changed by the action of the fingers into a number of useful and ornamental devices, and by reason of the mutual strain of the parts and the friction thereby engendered the several conditions will be maintained under ordinary conditions of use; but the device may always be changed from one condition to another by such force as can be readily imparted by the hands. It may be thrown into a nearly spherical form to serve as a twine-holder, or it may be thrown into an hour-glass form to serve as a double twine-holder. It may be made a capacious receptacle to serve for an egg-boiler, may be given a tubular form to hold napkins, may be made into a flat annular ring to serve as a sad-iron rest, or may be made a hanging basket for flowers, and numerous other changes may be made.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention, but do not represent all the forms of the invention.

Figure 1 shows the device adjusted for a twine-holder. The remaining figures show it adjusted for other uses. All are ornamental. Fig. 2 shows the device arranged for a table twine-holder. Fig. 3 is a dotted outline showing the form assumed when adjusted for a flower-basket; Fig. 4, a similar outline when adjusted for an egg-boiler; Fig. 5, a strong line View adjusted for a sad-iron rest; Fig. 6, on a somewhat smaller scale, for a napkinring or other holder.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures were they appear.

A and B are two similar rings of wire, composed each of a single length of wire bent around and with its ends united.

G O are semi'rings having their ends joined to the ring A by loops 0 and arranged to overlap. Each semi-ring is applied within the corresponding semi-ring on one side and without the corresponding semi-ring on the other side, the relation being allowed by the elasticity of the material, each semi-ring being slightly strained in an oblique position. I will designate by locking the slightlytwisted strained position in which each is held.

D D are corresponding semi-rings similarly engaged by loops D with the ring 13 and similarly overlapping and obliquely strained. The semi-rings D on the ring B equal in size and number the semi-rings O on the opposite ring A. The rings A and B being thus equipped with their semi-rings C and D held in parallel positions, each semi-ring G is united with the corresponding semi-ring D by a. small ring E or other easy fitting but reliable and permanentfastening. This should be so easily fitted that it offers little resistance to the turning of the respective loops therein.

F and G are corresponding series of semirings, similarly lapping each upon the next, and engaged by loops F and G at their ends, the semi-rings F with the ring A and the semi-rings G with the ring B. The several loops 0, D, F, and G are sufficiently close to hold their respective semi-rings reliably but loosely, so that all can be readily turned on their several fastenings. The oblique and elastically strained position of each semi-ring insures that all of each series-that is to say, all of the semi-rings G, or all of the semirings G, or of any other series-shall be flared outward or coned inward together. The tying together of of the semi-rings (land D insures that these two series are deflected outward or inward together, always to an equal extent, but the series F may be deflected outward or inward independently of any of the other series, and so, also, may the series G.

When the semi-rings G and D are deflected sutficiently outward orinward, and the rings A and B are compressed together, this portion of the, device can be compacted into a fiat open-work ring. Thus put in position, if the semi-ringsF and G are deflected inward, the device makes a twine-holder, as shown in Fig. 1.

If, holding the semi-rings F and G in the same position, the rings A and B are moved apart and the semi-rings O and D are pressed inward, the device makes an hour-glass figure suitable for holding two balls of twine. This adjustment is indicated in Fi 2. If, maintaining the same condition of the semirings F and G, the semi-rings C and D are thrown into an intermediate position, the tie vice makes a capacious receptacle suitable for an egg-boiler. This arrangement is indicated in Fig. i. If the same condition of the middle parts is maintained and the semirings F and G at the ends are turned outward, the device assumes a spool form and may serve as a napkin-ring holder, as shown on a small scale in Fig. 6.

It the semi-rings ()and D are also deflected outward to their fullest extent, the entire device assumes the form of a flat ring suitable for a sad iron rest. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 5. It the semi-rings C and D are thrown in the partlyextended condition, and the semi-rings at one end are closed together and the semi-rings G at the other end are set flaring, half extended, the device makes a graceful hanging basket for flowers or other like articles. This is indicated in outline in Fig. 3.

Modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages ot the invention. The semi-rings may be larger and smaller relatively to the rings A and B. Each may be semielliptical instead of semicircular. The sizes and material of the wires for the several parts may be varied.

There may be three complete rings corresponding to A and B, the third being united to the ring B by loops corresponding to O and D.

Parts of the invention can be used without the Whole. I can use only one ring corresponding to A or B, the sets of semi-rings F and G for each end being engaged therewith, and ofconrse omittingthe semi-rings O and D.

I claim as my invention 1. An adjustable wire device having two series of semi-rings F and G, in combination with two rings A and B, loosely engaged respectively therewith by means of looped ends F, G, the semirings being arranged to overlap each upon an adjacent member of the series, and the whole series adapted to be extended or contracted simultaneouslyand uniformly, and means for connecting the rings A and B, as and for the purpose specified.

2. An adjustable wire device having a series of semi-rings F, in combination with a ring A and loosely engaged therewith by means of looped ends F, the semi-rings being arranged to overlap each upon an adjacent member of the series, and the whole series to be extended or contracted simultaneously and uniformly,and to be held in a gently strained condition so as to induce friction holding the series outward or inward to various degrees as they shall be set, and with an additional ring B carrying a corresponding series of semi-rings G and with two series of semi-rings O and D similarly strained, and frictionally engaged with said rings, and with linksE loosely engaging the series 0 and D together, all arranged for joint service substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VICTOR LASSEN.

NVitnesses:

MILTON T. HAFEY, WILLIAM H. STEVENSON, Jr. 

